AKHA wants medicine faculty established in Akwa Ibom varsity
...constitutes C'tee to address dispute with oil communities
• Hon. Ukpong Akpabio
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has mandated its Committee on Education to collaborate with the Vice Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University to initiate the establishment of a Faculty of Medicine at the institution.
Additionally, the House has instructed the Ministry of Health to begin the necessary steps to realize the Akwa Ibom State University Teaching Hospital project.
This followed a motion by Hon. Prince Ukpong Akpabio (Essien Udim State Constituency) titled “The Need to Establish a College of Medicine at Akwa Ibom State University,” presented during the plenary session on Tuesday.
Akpabio stated that the new faculty, once established, would enhance local manpower in the health sector, provide professional training, and strengthen the university’s academic programmes.
He expressed his concern regarding the lack of a Faculty of Medicine at the university, stating that this absence disadvantages the state’s indigenous population and underscores the urgent need for its establishment.
“Worried that 15 years after its establishment, the university is yet to have a functional Faculty/College of Medicine.
“Aware that, sometimes in May 26, 2021, a groundbreaking ceremony for the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State University Teaching Hospital was held in ONNA where public and private donors made significant funding pledges and partnership.
“Since that groundbreaking ceremony in 2021, no further action or information has been heard concerning the proposed Akwa Ibom State University Hospital”.
Contributing, the lawmakers expressed unanimous support for the motion, recognising the increasing demand for the programme at the university.
Consequently, the House emphasised the need to establish a teaching hospital to support the College of Medicine and referred the motion to the House Committee on Education to consult the university’s Vice Chancellor about the future of the faculty and report back to the House within one month.
Meanwhile, the House has constituted a committee to engage in dialogue with key stakeholders from oil-bearing communities and relevant authorities regarding conflict resolution.
This ad-hoc committee, chaired by Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung (Etim Ekpo state constituency), is to explore ways to achieve a peaceful resolution between the host communities and the appropriate authorities.
This followed a motion presented by Engr. Udobia Udoh of the Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency, highlighting the urgent need to address the potential crisis surrounding the Host Community Development Trust Fund in oil-producing areas.
Engr. Udo emphasised that the Host Community Development Trust was designed to promote grassroots development and meet the diverse needs of communities affected by oil exploration activities.
He noted that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company and Mobil Producing Nigeria, through their NNPC/MPN Joint Venture, have allocated over 30 billion Naira to these communities for various development projects.
However, he expressed concern that despite this funding, there has been significant dissatisfaction among the host communities regarding project execution and fund management, leading to unrest and potential crises.
Accordingly, the House tasked the committee with overseeing the situation and reporting back on their progress within a month.
